The Covid-19 pandemic directly bereaved hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, and impacted on the bereavement of millions more. Researchers have worked fast to shed light on the support that people need in this context and how bereavement services can be delivered; service providers have developed new ways of working in response to new needs and constraints. These learnings will influence how bereavement support is delivered in the future.

This free symposium, hosted by the National Bereavement Alliance, East of England Population Health Research Hub and NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, will showcase new findings and develop a set of policy and research priorities to strengthen support for those bereaved now and in the future.

Join us to

hear about the latest developments in bereavement research and practice
discuss the implications of the presentations
contribute to a set of priorities for bereavement support policy and research.

When you book your place, you will be invited to share up to three recommendations for policy and research to improve support for bereaved adults and children. Recommendations will be themed ahead of the symposium, discussed in breakout sessions during the event, prioritised and published as a report, and used to influence those with a role to play in improving support.

Draft agenda:

2.00-2.45 What we are learning from research

2.45-3.35 What we are learning from practice

3.45-4.30 Prioritisation discussion in breakout rooms

4.30-5.00 Presentation of priorities and next steps

Confirmed speakers:

Bereavement services: do they work and are they cost-effective? An umbrella review of effectiveness and systematic review of cost effectiveness Dr Megan Gingell, Public Health Speciality Training Programme, East of England and Public Health England, East of England Centre

Bereavement during Covid 19: findings from a national study Dr Lucy Selman, University of Bristol

‘A silent epidemic of grief’: findings from a national survey of bereavement care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic Dr Caroline Pearce, University of Cambridge

Approaches to commissioning bereavement services: a freedom of information request with Clinical Commissioning Groups and local authorities Anna Davies, Policy Manager, Independent Age

Lessons from supporting people early in their bereavement during the pandemic, Nicola Lester, Clinical Advisor and Tracey Lister, Service Manager, Sudden

Providing culturally specific bereavement support services, Adam Weatherhead, Managing Director, Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre

Engaging with bereaved children and young people during the pandemic, Oonagh Fowler, CHUMS Emotional Wellbeing Service

Recruiting and training bereavement volunteers online Steven Wibberley, CEO, Cruse Bereavement Care

Bereavement support now and next – what are we learning from the pandemic?